Muddying the Waters!

You're heading out, all excited - you're off to a display village to look at new homes! Who knows, you might even find your dream home! Then what?

It's not a really difficult process and we'll run through that another time - or you can pop in to the Content Living display home at Vivente, Hammond Park, and I'll run you through it!

What I wanted to discuss in this article is a typical visit to the display village, covering what happens, what to look out for and some of the tactics that will be on show from sales reps.

Firstly, the sales reps job is to "assist you"! That is why he / she is there in the first place. If they're not there to assist you, then we might as well close the display village and everyone can shop on-line. Unfortunately, the 2D version on-line often doesn't allow you to get that feel of the intangible stuff that goes with a display home. A lot of my clients walk in and go "WOW, this is awesome - it's so open and bright". "Open" and "bright" is something you won't be able to experience on-line. So, when you're in a display home and the rep asks if he / she can help, they're not trying to pester or harass you, they're just doing their job. Secondly, they can't help you if you don't engage with them in some sort of discussion. We love questions and are more than happy to provide information - ie. most of us are! And as far as I'm concerned, there's no "bad" or "silly" questions. The more info I give you, the more certain I am that you will make an informed decision when the right time and product comes along, for you.

The biggest problem we have at display villages is there are typically 12 -20 people selling the same product and everyone will tell you that there product is better than everyone else's - we'd be wasting our time if we didn't believe that! So, how do you sort through this maze and hopefully come out with the best solution for you?

There is one key important factor and we'll come to that at the conclusion, but here are some other factors that are important to consider.

Firstly, the one of the most important things is "how you feel in yourself", when you walk into the home. Do you come into a home and feel relaxed, at ease. Does it sort of wash over you that this is a really nice home and "you can see yourself living in it"! As you continue through the home, do you get that "WOW" factor with it? To me this is a major aspect of choosing a home - I have to picture myself in it and think that I would be proud to have family & friends over and entertain, as well as be comfortable and relaxed in my own space. If it doesn't feel like it fits, but you like the fit-out or "inclusions", make a note of the builder, as most builders have a stack of designs and sometimes it's just a matter of working with them to find the right one.

The biggest problem you will face is there will be a number of builders or reps, that will try and "muddy the waters" with all sorts of gimmicks and give-away's and smoke & mirror tactics, so that you'll become confused about price and the standard of the spec. The display home is always impressive and sometimes they'll charm you with all sorts of trinkets and little promises and after talking to 3 or 4 of these type sales reps, you won't know what you're doing, or how to compare the different offers and it all just becomes a blur.

My advice is to find a house that feels right, has some WOW factor for you, has mostly standard features, rather than gimmicks and the most important factor of all, has a sales rep that you believe you can work with and trust! The best way of telling that is to ask some questions and see if the communication is two-way. Guys who talk too much aren't listening to you! This is your home and they need to talk on your thoughts and wants and "help you" get the right result!